Nozzle adapter

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner. A plenum chamber housing is adapted for engaging receipt on a vacuum cleaner nozzle. An inlet housing extends from the plenum chamber housing. A slide surface is situated on the inlet housing and is suited for receipt of the slide member thereon. The slide member includes locking tabs and laterally extending biasing means which operatively cooperates with the plenum chamber housing.

We claim: 
     
       1. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a body comprising a plenum chamber housing adapted for engaging receipt on a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and an inlet housing extending from the plenum chamber housing adapted for receiving vacuum cleaner accessory tools;   a slide surface situated on said inlet housing; and   a slide member received on said slide surface, the slide member including a locking tab and laterally extending biasing means for cooperating with an exterior wall of the plenum chamber housing to bias the locking tab against the vacuum cleaner housing.   
     
     
       2. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, according to claim 1, wherein the plenum chamber housing includes an engaging tab adapted to be received on a vacuum cleaner nozzle. 
     
     
       3. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, according to claim 1, wherein the plenum chamber housing defines a lip which substantially corresponds to a vacuum cleaner nozzle opening surface for engaging receipt thereon. 
     
     
       4. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, according to claim 1, wherein a gasket is affixed to the plenum chamber housing lip to seal a laminar joint formed between the lip and the vacuum cleaner nozzle opening surface. 
     
     
       5. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, according to claim 1, wherein the inlet housing defines a channel which is in open communication with the plenum chamber. 
     
     
       6. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, according to claim 1, wherein the slide surface is situated longitudinally on the inlet housing, the slide surface defining a pair of longitudinal rails extending therefrom and used for guiding the slide member. 
     
     
       7. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, according to claim 1, wherein the slide member includes a downwardly extending stop tab in cooperating communication with a void defined in the slide surface. 
     
     
       8. A nozzle adapter for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: an adapter body defining a plenum chamber and having an inlet housing extending therefrom, the inlet housing including an exterior slide surface adapted for receipt of a slide member thereon, the slide member including tabs extending therefrom and adapted for locking the nozzle adapter to a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and a biasing means extending laterally from the slide member for cooperating with an exterior wall of the plenum chamber to bias said tabs against the vacuum cleaner nozzle.   
     
     
       9. A nozzle adapter assembly, comprising: a converter body comprising a plenum chamber housing and an inlet chamber housing, the plenum chamber housing comprising upwardly extending front and rear walls joined together by flared side walls and terminating in an outwardly extending lip adapted for engaging a vacuum cleaner nozzle housing, the inlet chamber housing including a slide surface on an exterior portion thereof, the slide surface having a pair of guide rails extending therefrom; and   a slide member received on said slide surface, the slide member having a pair of guides which track the guide rails on the inlet chamber housing, a locking tab for securing the nozzle adapter to a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and laterally extending biasing means for biasing said locking tab against the vacuum cleaner assembly.   
     
     
       10. A nozzle adapter assembly, according to claim 9, wherein an engagement tab extends from the rear wall of the plenum chamber housing and is adapted to be received by a vacuum cleaner nozzle. 
     
     
       11. A nozzle adapter assembly, according to claim 9, wherein a gasket is received on the lip which extends from the plenum chamber housing. 
     
     
       12. A nozzle adapter assembly, according to claim 9, wherein a slide pocket defined by said slide surface communicates with a stop tab extending from the slide member to limit the sliding motion of the slide member. 
     
     
       13. A method for mounting a nozzle adapter to a vacuum cleaner, comprising the steps of: providing a nozzle adapter assembly comprising a plenum chamber housing, an inlet chamber housing and a slide member, the slide member having a locking tab extending therefrom;   sliding the slide member along a nozzle adapter inlet housing slide surface;   positioning the locking tab over a plenum chamber defined by the plenum chamber housing;   placing an engagement tab extending from the plenum chamber housing above a nozzle guard to sandwich the nozzle guard between the engagement tab and a lip extending from the plenum chamber housing;   engaging the locking tab above the nozzle guard to sandwich the nozzle guard between the locking tab and the plenum chamber housing lip;   stressing laterally extending biasing means against a plenum chamber housing wall; and biasing the locking tab against the vacuum cleaner housing.